Modifier Key

A Modifier Key is a key or a combination of keys that triggers an Operating System or Software Application action or task.

AKA: Key Shortcut, Key Combination.
Example(s):
- Ctrl+Alt+ Delete, in Microsoft Windows will trigger the Task Manager.
- Ctrl+X will trigger the task Cut in most OSs or Apps,
- Ctrl+V will trigger the task Paste in most OSs or Apps,
- Ctrl+C will trigger the task Copy in most OSs or Apps,
Counter-Example(s):
- Access Modifier,
- Grammatical Modifier.
See: Mode (User Interface), Computing, Computer Keyboard, Shift Key, Alt Key, Control Key, Keyboard Layout, Caps Lock, Shift Lock, Microsoft Windows, Active Window, User Interface.

References

(Wikipedia, 2019) ⇒ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modifier_key Retrieved:2019-1-20.
- In computing, a modifier key is a special key (or combination) on a computer keyboard that temporarily modifies the normal action of another key when pressed together. By themselves, modifier keys usually do nothing; that is, pressing any of the Shift, Alt, or Ctrl or keys alone does not (generally) trigger any action from the computer.
  For example, in most keyboard layouts the Shift key combination Shift+Awill produce a capital letter "A" instead of the default lower-case letter "a" (unless in Caps lock or Shift lock mode). A combination of Alt+F4in Microsoft Windows will close the active window; in this instance, Alt is the modifier key. In contrast, pressing just Alt or F4 will probably do nothing unless assigned a specific function in a particular program (for example, activating input aids or the toolbar of the active window in Windows).
  User interface expert Jef Raskin coined the term “quasimode” to describe the state a computer enters into when a modifier key is pressed.

(Microsoft, 2019) ⇒ https://support.microsoft.com/en-ca/help/12445/windows-keyboard-shortcuts Retrieved:2019-1-20.
- QUOTE: Keyboard shortcuts are keys or combinations of keys that provide an alternative way to do something that you’d typically do with a mouse.